Mini Macaw - to get or not to get...

[Animallover_84]

Hey!

Trying to figure out if I want to get another couple of parrots in the future, and if so which species. I have plenty of very different species on my "wishlist" and I am trying to narrow it down.

First of, I am not at all sure that I will be getting any more birds and secondly, I am talking in the future, not now. I intend to do lots of research to figure out which (if any) species would suit me and my lifestyle before getting any more birds. It took me a good "few" (read: 20 or so) years to feel that I was ready to get parrots and to decide on the species I am currently owned by (I have two caique boys). Hopefully, it will not take quite as long to come to a decision this time, but I'm in no rush.

It's not legal in my country to only have one bird (there are some exceptions, but I believe in giving social animals a friend) so I am looking to get two parrots of the same or similar species that can live together in the same cage. I have one BHC (15 years old) and one WBC (7 years old) both come from people who could/would no longer keep them so if I get any more birds this is the rout I will be taking again. I am not looking to get babies from a breeder.

To make things abundantly clear and to avoid any misunderstandings etc. I will under no circumstances allow my caiques to be anywhere near the other species of parrots. Sure, it would be amazing to be able to have all parrots flying together and so on, but that is not the reality with caiques, and I am fully aware of that fact. My oldest caique attacked an Amazon parrot in a previous home (according to that owner) so there is no way I will risk the other parrots safety (or my caiques for that matter). They will be in separate rooms and be let out at different times etc.

I used to want blue and gold macaws when I was younger, but I quickly realized that those were way too big for me and I would not be able to provide for them properly (they also have a terrifying beak). A few years ago, I discovered there were mini-macaws, and since then, the mini-macaws, and more specifically the Hahn's macaw, have been on my parrot wish list. I would love to know more about mini-macaws (the different species that exist, including the Hahn's macaw) and what it's like to keep them as pets. Pros and cons of these species, and why did you choose them over other species of parrots? Are these species "dusty" birds, as in, are they producing feather dust or are they "oil-based" (I have asthma, so I would like to avoid dustier species of parrots)? How are they "loudness-wise" (quiet, on a caique level, or worse, and if so, how much worse)? I share walls with neighbors (apartment); would that be a problem? Anything specific you would have loved to know before getting a mini-macaw?

I am grateful for any information and input. /Animallover_84

 

[Aviphile]

Hey!

Trying to figure out if I want to get another couple of parrots in the future, and if so which species. I have plenty of very different species on my "wishlist" and I am trying to narrow it down.

First of, I am not at all sure that I will be getting any more birds and secondly, I am talking in the future, not now. I intend to do lots of research to figure out which (if any) species would suit me and my lifestyle before getting any more birds. It took me a good "few" (read: 20 or so) years to feel that I was ready to get parrots and to decide on the species I am currently owned by (I have two caique boys). Hopefully, it will not take quite as long to come to a decision this time, but I'm in no rush.

It's not legal in my country to only have one bird (there are some exceptions, but I believe in giving social animals a friend) so I am looking to get two parrots of the same or similar species that can live together in the same cage. I have one BHC (15 years old) and one WBC (7 years old) both come from people who could/would no longer keep them so if I get any more birds this is the rout I will be taking again. I am not looking to get babies from a breeder.

To make things abundantly clear and to avoid any misunderstandings etc. I will under no circumstances allow my caiques to be anywhere near the other species of parrots. Sure, it would be amazing to be able to have all parrots flying together and so on, but that is not the reality with caiques, and I am fully aware of that fact. My oldest caique attacked an Amazon parrot in a previous home (according to that owner) so there is no way I will risk the other parrots safety (or my caiques for that matter). They will be in separate rooms and be let out at different times etc.

I used to want blue and gold macaws when I was younger, but I quickly realized that those were way too big for me and I would not be able to provide for them properly (they also have a terrifying beak). A few years ago, I discovered there were mini-macaws, and since then, the mini-macaws, and more specifically the Hahn's macaw, have been on my parrot wish list. I would love to know more about mini-macaws (the different species that exist, including the Hahn's macaw) and what it's like to keep them as pets. Pros and cons of these species, and why did you choose them over other species of parrots? Are these species "dusty" birds, as in, are they producing feather dust or are they "oil-based" (I have asthma, so I would like to avoid dustier species of parrots)? How are they "loudness-wise" (quiet, on a caique level, or worse, and if so, how much worse)? I share walls with neighbors (apartment); would that be a problem? Anything specific you would have loved to know before getting a mini-macaw?

I am grateful for any information and input. /Animallover_84

I have three mini macaws, the Primolius Macaws to be exact. Primolius - Wikipedia

Oliver is a yellow collared macaw -- Mandy is an Illiger's macaw -- Zack is a blue headed macaw


They all have different personalities and all are sweet and good natured. Zack and Oliver are similar in that they are both males but Mandy and Oliver seem more like twins, they have been nicknamed Bonnie and Clyde! Zack was the quietest bird until Mandy arrived, she taught him every bad thing he knows! Of the three of them Zack is still the quietest and has the softest screech. This is what a blue head sounds like.

About the only times they holler and carry on is when I get home and they know that they are going to get to go outside, talk about excitement! They start up again around supper time when they are ready to come in to eat. They all talk and make noises, they seem to have their own little language. Oliver has only been with us for a few months and I would say he is the loudest of the three, you can tell that he used being LOUD as his way to get attention! He is learning that it doesn't work around here. Mandy was the same way and once they figure out that it doesn't work they stop.

Which one to get???? I can't say, I can't pick one over the other two, I love them all!

This is a video for reference, blue heads compared to big macaws! I have big macaws too and I have never had big macaws holler like in this video! Thank goodness!

 

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This thread will answer almost all, if not all, of your questions: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly about Mini Macaws